Going to college with your mom or dad could seem sort of strange and embarrassing, but for one mother and daughter enrolled here on campus, it’s a privilege.

"I love going to school with my mom. It’s surprising to some, but to me it’s nothing," said Priscilla Lopez, a freshman Business major. "She inspires me to do better and keeps me on the right track."

Thirty-nine-year old Patricia Lopez and her 18-year-old daughter, Priscilla, have been helping and motivating one another with class assignments since Priscilla first started here in Summer II of 2010. Patricia oversaw Priscilla’s transition from high school to college by helping her register using Banner.

"I have been guiding her and helping her take the right classes and right teachers," said Patricia. "Since I know the school, I have been able to give her awareness of things students usually don’t know about, and I have had the privilege of even mentoring her friends and helping them as well with their classes and information."

Patricia is the vice president of the Student Government Association, and she will graduate in May 2011 with an associate’s in Business. She is also very involved with other student organizations. At the same time, she is a wife and mother of three children. Patricia attended college for two semesters right out of high school, but she decided to work instead of going to school. She returned in 2008.

"It took me 15 years to come back to school and it’s never too late to finish what I once started," said Patricia. "I will be the first one of my generation to graduate and receive a college degree."

With her husband’s and family’s support, Patricia is motivated to finish and help her daughter finish.

"I have big shoes to fill," said Priscilla. "My mom has done so well after coming back after many years, and there is no reason for me not to do good. She inspires me."

Priscilla graduated from South San High School in June 2010 as the vice president of her class. She was involved with helping her high school district pass the school bond to renovate the campus. She gathered 200 students to vote.

"I’m so proud of her," said Patricia. "It’s a privilege going to school with my daughter, and I made it my personal goal to make sure she stays in school and graduates."

Even though they have different schedules and different classes this semester, these two women are always communicating with one another. They go shopping together and help one another out with reviewing their essays and correcting them.

"School is very important in my family," said Priscilla. "Everyone helps each other out and has each other’s back. This is what motivates me to do better."

Both Patricia and Priscilla are going to graduate with their associate’s degrees from Palo Alto and then attend Texas A&M University-San Antonio to receive their bachelor’s degrees.

"We do everything together, "said Priscilla. "I’m going to be sad when she transfers."